Sims Bar-B-Que (Barrow Road)

There's much to celebrate in the Little Rock culinary scene: Boulevard Bread Co.'s fresh-baked breads. The cheap and delicious southwest Little Rock taco truck culture. Ashley's haute cuisine take on Southern traditionalism. A thin, massive slice of Vino's Special pizza. But our vote for the number-one-can't-miss-spot? Sims Bar-B-Que. It gets top billing, not just among the local barbecue pantheon (ahead of other favorites like Whole Hog and the White Pig Inn), but as our pick for the Little Rock restaurant for four reasons. 1. It's unique. Like we said, Little Rock does a lot of different types of food well. But with the possible exception of Ashley's and cheese dip, most all of our good food is not singularly good; if you've visited bigger cities, you've experienced it all. But unless you're a Carolina 'cue aficionado, you haven't sampled a sauce as sop-worthy as Sims' thin, vinegar-mustard-and-brown sugar concoction. And we can't imagine those Carolina boys pit-smoking spare ribs and whole chickens as tender as you'll find here. 2. It's stood the test of time; a 75th anniversary is just around the corner. 3. Greens and cornbread count as one side. 4. Beer comes in 40-ounce bottles.

Restaurant Details

Great spare ribs, sandwiches, beef, half and whole chicken and an addictive vinegar-mustard-brown sugar sauce unique for this part of the country. Also on S. Broadway and Geyer Springs.